Labor Day

With the arrival of Labor Day, I can’t help but think of the song, “Sixteen Tons”.  When I hear this song, the words, “another day older and deeper in debt,” I imagine I can feel a little of the oppressive burden of a laborer mining coal.

The song is attributed to Merle Travis and the line “another day older and deeper in debt,” came from a letter written by Merle Travis’ brother.  This phrase and the line, “I gave my soul to the company store,” are references to the truck system and debt bondage.  Under the truck system and debt bondage, workers were not paid cash; rather they were paid with non-transferrable credit vouchers that could only be used at the company store. Hence, it was impossible to save any money.  Workers who lived in company owned dormitories or houses had their rent automatically deducted from their pay.  This truck system and debt bondage lasted until a union was able to be formed—the United Mine Workers, and was able to end such practices.  Unions were forming around the turn of the twentieth century. Here are seven achievement the union won.

1.        Wage had to be paid that were commensurate with work and dangerous work, more.

2.       Payment had to be legal tender and not company scrip.

3.       Mines had to have good ventilation to decrease black lung disease. (Note, not end black lung, but decrease.)

4.       Enforce safety laws.

5.       Labor limited to eight hours.

6.       End child labor.

7.       Use accurate scales to weigh the coal so workers could be  paid fairly.

It wasn’t until 1933 that workers achieved “collective bargaining rights” – meaning laborers could sit down at the table with management and discuss conditions to benefit both parties.

Not until 1946 could miners get health and retirement benefits.

And in 1969, The United Mine Workers of America convinced Congress to force owners to provide compensation to miners suffering from Black Lung Disease.

Now, you see why we have a holiday celebrating “Labor.” People have worked hard throughout our history. Their contributions have made America strong and prosperous.  Certainly laborers have earned a three day holiday weekend.  And much more.